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2010 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe Safety

Safety is a concern if you’re considering the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle or New Beetle Convertible. NHTSA (the federal government agency) rates the New Beetle at four stars for front crash protection, four for driver side protection, and just three stars for passenger side protection. The insurance-supported IIHS gives the New Beetle a frontal-offset score of “good,” though the New Beetle is rated “poor”—the lowest score—in side impact.

Edmunds calls the side-impact crash tests results "subpar." And although TheCarConnection.com is unsure why, Kelley Blue Book points to the New Beetle’s "excellent crash-test results and projected accident-repair costs."

The 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle is downright disappointing if you go by the crash-test ratings.

Though the protection might not measure up, the features are there: Stability control is standard, along with anti-lock brakes and front airbags. Consumer Reports notes that, if sensors detect an imminent tip, pop-up roll bars activate automatically.

Automedia warns that with the top down, "the straight back view is limited somewhat by the tall, top stack."